Suspect arrested in slaying at Santa Monica hospital

A man's body was found on the grounds of St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica early Friday morning. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A homeless man has been arrested in connection with a killing that took place on the grounds of a Santa Monica hospital Friday morning, authorities said.

Daniel Roy Davis, 26, of San Diego was arrested after a body was discovered on a bench on the property of St. John’s Health Center near Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica police spokesman Lt. Saul Rodriguez said.

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In a statement, police said they found Davis in the 2300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, not far from the hospital grounds. Evidence linking him to the crime was recovered, though police did not disclose what that was. Rodriguez said a motive was unclear.

The victim, described only as a white man in his 40s, was found dead about 6:45 a.m., according to the Police Department’s statement.

Rodriguez said the victim may have been homeless and appears to have suffered stab wounds during an attack on the hospital grounds.

The bench where the man’s body was found is on the east side of the hospital, close to 23rd Street, said Rodriguez, who described the area as “tucked away” from parts of the hospital that would usually have heavy foot traffic.

It was not clear if the man, whose identity has not been confirmed, had been a patient of the hospital. The hospital has security staff, Rodriguez said.

In a statement, hospital officials said they were “deeply saddened” to learn about the discovery of the body and asked employees who witnessed any odd activity at the hospital “over the last 12 hours” to immediately contact law enforcement.

Davis is being held in lieu of $2-million bail, and a case will be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office early next week, police said.

7:00 p.m.: This story was updated with details about an arrest.

12:00 p.m.: This story was updated with a statement from the hospital.